Bangladesh ratifies three key ILO conventions to strengthen labor rights
Dhaka’s interim government under Muhammad Yunus completes all 10 fundamental ILO conventions, a first in South Asia
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Bangladesh’s interim government has ratified three major conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO), marking what Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus described as a “memorable day” for the country’s workers and a pivotal moment in its labor reform journey.
The conventions — Occupational Safety and Health (No. 155), Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health (No. 187), and Prevention of Violence and Harassment at Work (No. 190) — were signed at the State Guest House Jamuna on Wednesday by Labor and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) M. Sakhawat Hussain, in the presence of Chief Adviser Yunus and ILO Country Director Max Tunon.
ILO conventions 155 and 187 were declared “fundamental” in 2022, making Bangladesh’s ratification particularly significant. With these latest signings, the country has now ratified all 10 fundamental ILO conventions — the first in South Asia to achieve the milestone.
Yunus, who has positioned labor rights as a central focus of his interim administration, said the step fulfills a long-standing moral and political commitment. “After the Rana Plaza tragedy in 2013, the government made promises but did little,” he said.
“When I took charge, I made labor rights my first priority. Signing these conventions is a step toward repaying the debt owed to those workers who gave their lives.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Adviser Sakhawat Hussain called the achievement “a proud day for the interim government,” crediting Yunus’s leadership for overcoming significant challenges in advancing worker protections.
Special Envoy for International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqui described the process as “difficult but rewarding,” while the ILO’s Max Tunon congratulated Bangladesh for setting a regional precedent in labor reform.
Tunon also urged Bangladesh to adopt a comprehensive labor charter based on consensus among political parties ahead of the country’s elections in February, pledging continued ILO support for implementing labor law reforms.
Officials said the ratifications underscore Bangladesh’s broader effort to align with global labor standards, especially in the wake of international scrutiny over workplace safety and rights in the garment industry — a sector employing over four million people.
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